BC Ferries representatives presented a preliminary plan for food services aboard the Island Sky during terminal upgrades at Westview and Little River next winter. Customers hoping for a freshly cooked bacon and egg breakfast will be disappointed.
“We’ve been working on this because we know it’s important to you,” said Corrine Storey, vice-president of BC Ferries customer services. She was speaking to members of the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) and 20 members of the public, in Gillies Bay on Texada Island, April 10. “Our catering and food service people have been looking at it.”
The Island Sky, the regular vessel on the Saltery Bay-Earls Cove route, will sail between Saltery Bay and Departure Bay on Vancouver Island, a three-hour sailing, during the first phase of the terminal upgrades from January 12 to February 7, 2014. Then, during the second phase, the vessel will sail between Saltery Bay and Little River with a stop at Blubber Bay on the morning and evening runs, a two-hour 20-minute crossing, from February 8 to March 9.
Concerns have been raised over the Island Sky’s use on these crossings because the vessel currently does not have a full galley and only offers a limited selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods and beverages. Microwave ovens are provided to reheat food.
After examining the feasibility of adding a full galley to the vessel, Storey reported to the FAC that adding the high capital costs of the upgrades to the project were “just not acceptable.”
A number of safety provisions would need to be added. Storey said the vessel does not have bulkheads that can meet fire regulations, there is not a fire suppression system in the area where the galley could be built and an exhaust system would have to be built.
“All the existing services will remain,” said Storey, “but we have some new menu ideas.” A number of meal ideas are being looked at and additional microwave ovens will be set up to meet the increased passenger need for meals.
Some breakfast ideas include an egg, ham and cheese breakfast sandwich, a three-cheese omelette with sausage or ham and hash-browns, hard-boiled eggs and instant flavoured oatmeal in a cup. On the lunch and dinner runs, the galley will offer ginger beef and steamed broccoli, sweet and sour pork, gluten-free burritos, yogurt chicken couscous and various pastas and salads.
“We understand the need for protein, substance and healthy food options,” she added. “And we’re trying to work within the restraints of what we have.”
BC Ferries is still looking at public feedback collected at information sessions held mid-February about the terminal closures.
The ferry corporation has not yet finalized the plans for ferry scheduling and alternative service during the terminal closures, but hopes to present its plan at public information sessions in May or June in Powell River, Comox and Gillies Bay.
